Being a professional athlete comes with some perks. Some are more obvious than others: getting paid to play a sport, being a celebrity and becoming a role model to others.

Another great benefit: being able to help the people who support you. Many athletes feel a great responsibility to pay it forward and don’t take that aspect of their job lightly.

Justin and Krista Morneau are no exception to that type of generosity.

Six years ago, the Morneau’s niece, Madelyn, was diagnosed with arthritis. As a toddler, the Morneau’s explain, her hand became swollen and she had difficulty with day-to-day activities. Since the diagnosis of polyarticular arthritis and uveitis, Madelyn has taken a weekly shot among other medicine.

Madelyn is just one an estimated 300,000 children with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. Fifty million Americans have the same diagnosis.

Seeing firsthand how this disease can affect kids and their families, the Morneaus decided to do something to help. They started The Morneau Casino Night to raise money in the fight against this debilitating disease.

This year’s event was on June 2 at International Market Square in Minneapolis.

The night included meet and greets with the Morneaus, casino games and both live and silent auctions.

Many Twins players were in attendance to support their teammate, as well as other local athletes.

People were playing for a good time rather than money in order to support a worthy cause.

The foundation has invested more than $250 million in arthritis research. Proceeds from this year’s event will fund programs that include a networking group for families who have children with arthritis. One of those programs is Camp M.A.S.H. (Make Arthritis Stop Hurting).

Even more exciting than that, the Morneaus announced Cambria has made a generous donation to fund a regional camp for those families near Minnesota.